Johnson N, Chaudhaury VB, et al. Mysterious mycorrizae: A field trip and experiment to demystify the symbioses formed between plants and fungi. The American Biology Teacher. 2009;424-9.
Summary
This article explains and summarizes a field/lab experiment that allows students to have an appreciation for the influence of invisible soil organisms on plant growth and learn about symbioses and hteir outcome on plant growth. The students went into the field and collected natural soil. The students came back and planted seeds in living soil and dead soil (the teacher heated the soil in the microwave). The students would determine if plants grow differently if innoculated with soil organisms (mycorrizal fungi). The teacher handed the students seeds of plants that are hosts to mycorrizae and that are not hosts to mycorrizae (broccoli). The plants were kept in a warm place with plenty of sunlight. The students watered the plants and observed growth over time. The results were that broccoli grew better without mycorrizal fungi and other organisms in the soil. while other seeds grew better with these organisms in the soil.
Personal Thoughts
I thought this was a very good inquiry-based activity that allowed the students to understand the concept of mutualism. The fungal species provides nutrients to the soil and the plant species provides carbohydrates to the fungal species. I enjoyed how the students had a sense of ownership of their plants. This experiment allowed the students to see that some plant grow best under mutualistic conditions while other plants do not enjoy the company of the fungi. To these plants, fungi are not mutualistic, they are parasitic. This is an experiment that I would conduct with my students.
Summary
This article explains and summarizes a field/lab experiment that allows students to have an appreciation for the influence of invisible soil organisms on plant growth and learn about symbioses and hteir outcome on plant growth. The students went into the field and collected natural soil. The students came back and planted seeds in living soil and dead soil (the teacher heated the soil in the microwave). The students would determine if plants grow differently if innoculated with soil organisms (mycorrizal fungi). The teacher handed the students seeds of plants that are hosts to mycorrizae and that are not hosts to mycorrizae (broccoli). The plants were kept in a warm place with plenty of sunlight. The students watered the plants and observed growth over time. The results were that broccoli grew better without mycorrizal fungi and other organisms in the soil. while other seeds grew better with these organisms in the soil.
Personal Thoughts
I thought this was a very good inquiry-based activity that allowed the students to understand the concept of mutualism. The fungal species provides nutrients to the soil and the plant species provides carbohydrates to the fungal species. I enjoyed how the students had a sense of ownership of their plants. This experiment allowed the students to see that some plant grow best under mutualistic conditions while other plants do not enjoy the company of the fungi. To these plants, fungi are not mutualistic, they are parasitic. This is an experiment that I would conduct with my students.
Akash S